BBB honors five organizations for ethics

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Northwestern Ohio and Southeastern Michigan honored four local businesses and one nonprofit for exemplary and ethical business practices at its annual Torch Awards, held Nov. 6 in Perrysburg.

Winners have demonstrated business practices that exemplify ethics, integrity and exceptional customer service and are chosen by an independent panel of volunteer community leaders, based on criteria established by the BBB, said Marilyn Levine, director of the BBB Foundation.

This year’s keynote speaker was former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Yvette McGee Brown, the first African-American woman to serve on the state’s highest court.

Small business

Coyle Funeral & Cremation Services won in the small business (one to nine employees) category.

Family-owned and operated for 125 years, Coyle is committed to helping families plan, personalize and carry out meaningful end-of-life celebrations for their loved ones, according to information provided for its application. Even after the funeral, the company continues to care for its families, sending a card on the one-year anniversary of the death and offering 24-hour grief services online and memorial candle lighting ceremonies on holidays.

“[The award] is very meaningful because in this room are every deserving family and business,” said President Megan Coyle-Stamos. “It’s touching. I’m humbled.”

Coyle-Stamos is the fifth generation of the Coyle family to lead the business and several employees have been with the company for more than 30 years. The company is also involved in community service, particularly with Cell Phones for Soldiers, for which it has collected more than 2,500 phones.

The funeral home is located at 1770 S. Reynolds Road in Toledo. For more information, call (419) 865-1295 or visit www.coylefuneralhome.com.

Medium business

Little Wonders Child Care Center won in the medium business (10-49 employees) category.

Offering extended hours to accommodate the schedules of all working parents, Little Wonders Child Care Center aims to provide a safe, caring environment away from home that helps children grow emotionally, socially, intellectually and physically, according to information provided for its application.

Metzgers Printing & Mailing won the BBB Torch award in the large business category. Toledo Free Press photo by Sarah Ottney.

Metzgers Printing & Mailing won in the large business (50-149 employees) category.

Innovation and integrity are the cornerstones of business for brothers Joe and Tom Metzger of Metzgers Printing & Mailing, according to information provided for its application.

The family-owned and operated company, which was started in 1976, offers a wide range of services, including offset and digital printing, mailing, promotional products, fulfillment, warehousing and more, and strives to not only meet but exceed customer expectations.

“[The award] reminds me so much of my father, the way he did his business,” said president Joe Metzger. “He constantly told everyone, ‘Do the right thing.’”

Despite its growth, Metzgers retains a “family atmosphere.” More than 30 employees have been with the company for 10 years or more. The Metzgers Education Center offers employees and customers a space to learn about current and emerging marketing capabilities.

The company is located at 207 Arco Drive in Toledo. For more information, call (419) 861-8611 or visit www.metzgers.com.

Extra-large business

Tireman Auto Service Centers won in the extra-large business (150-plus employees) category.

Offering 17 retail locations in Northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan, Tireman stays open late to accommodate its customers’ work schedules and is the only area auto repair company that pays technicians by the hour rather than on commission, according to information provided for its application.

The company has provided tires and auto repair services for more than 50 years and prides itself on building long-lasting customer relationships that span generations.

Each location posts a Customer Bill of Rights, which includes Jones’ name and number, encouraging customers to call with comments good or bad. The Tireman Safety Rewards Program rewards employees for safe work habits and for holding each other accountable for the safety of others.

Tireman is also involved in community service, including United Way of Greater Toledo, with whom it partners to offer car repairs at reduced prices for underprivileged families.

Ronald McDonald House won the BBB Torch award in the nonprofit category. Toledo Free Press photo by Sarah Ottney

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northwest Ohio won in the nonprofit category.

The children’s charity is committed to providing temporary, homelike accommodations for families with a child receiving medical care. The Ronald McDonald House is meant to be a “home away from home” for families who travel to Toledo for their children’s specialized medical care. More than 400 families stay at the house each year, for an average length of eight days, and more than 125 volunteers assist staff in providing for the needs of families.

“We are certainly humbled by the honor,” said president Chad Bringman. “We feel we do a lot of great work for the community, so we are honored.”

Ronald McDonald House is located at 3883 Monroe St., Toledo. For more information, call (419) 471-4663 or visit www.rmhctoledo.org.

Also announced during the ceremony were the winners of two $500 Jim Smythe Memorial Student of Integrity Scholarships. The winning essays, detailing a time when they faced ethical dilemmas, were written by Matt Grosse of Anthony Wayne High School and Joseph Wood of Springfield High School.

Toledo Free Press was honored for its efforts as a BBB Torch Awards media partner.

BBB to honor local ethical businesses Nov. 6

The Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Northwestern Ohio and Southeastern Michigan will honor area organizations for exemplary and ethical business practices in five categories at its upcoming annual Torch Awards ceremony.

The public luncheon is set for 12:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at the Hilton Garden Inn, 6165 Levis Commons Blvd., in Perrysburg.

Award categories are small business (1-9 employees), medium business (10-49 employees), large business (50-149 employees), extra-large business (150-plus employees) and nonprofit.

Winners will have demonstrated business practices that exemplify ethics, integrity and exceptional customer service and are chosen by an independent panel of volunteer community leaders, based on criteria established by the BBB, said Marilyn Levine, director of the BBB Foundation.

Winners do not have to be members of the BBB, but must have been in business a minimum of three years and be located in the BBB’s 18-county service area. Winners will receive a trophy handcrafted by local glass artist Mike Wallace. Last year’s event drew about 300 guests, Levine said.

Cost is $48 for a single seat, $38 for a member of a charitable organization or $370 for a table of eight. The event will be emceed by Diane Larson of 13abc.

Yvette McGee Brown

Yvette McGee Brown

This year’s keynote speaker will be former Ohio Supreme Court Justice Yvette McGee Brown, the first African-American woman to serve on the state’s highest court. Brown, who was former governor Ted Strickland’s running mate in the 2010 election, is also known for her advocacy of family and children’s issues, having worked with survivors of abuse, children in foster care, recovering drug addicts and truant students.

“She’s an exciting speaker,” Levine said. “Her presentation is very dynamic and very real. She gets it. She’s a person who has come from very little and her focus is helping others. She doesn’t have a lot of name recognition in Northwest Ohio, but she’s so worth hearing and I’m hoping people will take the opportunity.”

Also announced during the ceremony will be the winners of two $500 Jim Smythe Memorial Student of Integrity Scholarships, awarded to area high school seniors to further their educations. The winners will read their essays, which detail an ethical situation they encountered and how they handled it.

“Overall, I hope attendees come away with a heightened sense of awareness of what the BBB is all about and that they are encouraged to always strive to do better in terms of business and ethical behavior,” Levine said.

For information or reservations, call the BBB at (419) 531-3116 or (800) 743-4222 or visit toledo.bbb.org.

In Pursuit of Ethics

The BBB recently introduced a new module to its In Pursuit of Ethics series.

In Pursuit of Ethics, developed by the local BBB and filmed in the Toledo area, is a series of accredited ethics training videos now being used by more than 50 Better Business Bureaus throughout the U.S. and Canada, Levine said.

“It’s spreading and growing, so that’s a good thing,” Levine said.

The interactive, discussion-based modules stimulate discussion by presenting realistic ethical dilemmas faced by students and employees.

“Everywhere you turn, every aspect of society, you see an erosion of ethical standards,” local BBB President Dick Eppstein told Toledo Free Press in May. “You don’t see the same kind of immediate demand for ethical behavior anymore. We’re always immersed in news of unethical conduct, and we could use a refresher.”

The most recent module focuses on bullying in both schools and workplaces.

“Right now, there is so much attention focused on bullying in schools and students committing suicide, but the fact of the matter is a lot of bullying goes on in the workplace as well,” Levine said. “It’s not just a teenage problem.”

There are also modules specifically focused on ethics in auto repair, banking, insurance, remodeling and retail and one focused on schools, including cheating and sports.

What is right isn’t always easy, Levine said.

“Everyone knows the right answers. The question is what would you really do in the situation and how would that affect the people around you,” Levine said. “We have a dynamic discussion, in-depth discussion. It’s an opportunity to talk about it without being judged and hopefully you become more aware of what’s going on around you and how you react.

“It takes a lifetime to develop a good reputation and just a few minutes to destroy it,” Levine said. “We see that over and over. You can’t buy trust and respect with money; it’s something you have to earn.”